Out for a morning walk

Summit Fire update

Fire overlay on gMaps; here

Cal Fire updates; here

According to some sites CDF & Cal Fire are still having issues with steep terrain, winds and spotting. They expect 7000 acres to burn before having containment. Currently at 3000 acres and only 15% containment.

wildfire update

We didn't do much of anything yesterday other than wait around for our assignment. Hurry up and wait ;) The wind was constantly changing and plans were always in doubt to 1) if IC would remain in the same spot after changing a few times and 2) which area to evacuate. So we just held out waiting until the wind changed to SW in which the immediate danger was gone, for our side of the fire. We headed home to find a that the wind yet again changed, SE, to where we were waiting to be assigned but the winds were calmer by then. Not sure if we'll be needed today or Sat as I believe the fire might be under control now. We'll have to take a peek outside and check CDF & CalFire news.

The fire was very fast with those winds and steep mountains. It was an air battle (eight air tankers & nine helicopters) and by looking at this map you can see why that is, map here. Some of the canyons drop a 1000 feet, too steep for ground crews to manage.

This morning at home, there is no wind and you can smell the fire as if you just stepped into Yosemite's main camp ground in the early morning. Just a musty and damp but sweet of burning wood.

CDF bulldozers arrive

Winds are gusting at what feels like 40-50mph. You have to lean in to
the winds when walking. Waiting to be deployed. Staging might be moved
again due to fire threat. From where we are good view of fire. Was
briefed on what to do in worst case scenario, I had to use the
bathroom after that. ;) Word is fire expected to last 3 to 5 days.

wildfire update

wind increasing, 2000 acres burned, helo and planes onsite.

Dispatched to wildfire

heading to the wildfire that I mentioned earlier to assist on mandatory evacuations.

wildfire update

The fire has taken over more than 500 acres this morning and wind is now up to 23 mph.

This photo taken by Ty, thanks Ty!

[click the photo to enlarge it]

Caden turned 7 months young yesterday. He ate carrots for supper,
which he appeared to like. He also slept from 7 to ~6 without waking.
Although we liked the fact that he slept so long, it was also freaking
us out when we both woke up around 5am, which he normally wakes at,
and realized he slept through and past the hour. :)

[click the photo to enlarge it]

Forest fire in Santa Cruz

100 acres already at 7am. Todays mild 10mph wind will help this fire
move in the early stage.

Jailbroke, Viruses & 7

My buddy Ty and have been contemplating jailbreaking our iPhones and last night we made the decision and agreed that ziphone was the #1 choice. Ty made the jump last night and I followed this morning during a 6am work related conference call. Both proceeded with no issues as we expected after our research. I have installed a dictionary only so far while Ty has installed more with only one giving him an issue, called "low-jack", so be had to restore and start again. I'm trying to find this camera app that will allow my iPhone to take burst shots and black & white shots.

Writting blog updates from the iPhone is awesome. The only issue I comeup with, and it's a very very small concern, when typing HTML code you have to drill down twice to the third level on the keyboard to access carrot brackets. Oh well.

Lady Catherine is down with a viral infection, it has worked he to the point of missing work which we all know she doesn't like to miss work on the count of being sick. Hope you get well soon Babe!

Onto The Caden Files. Cadens' hair is really kicking into high gear these days, growing more of it, longer and getting that infant spiked look. Love it, the boy is 7 months young today and he has more hair than Daddy Tony. Happy 7 monther Buddy!

No words needed

Doesn't he look cute? Caden went swimming for the first time and he
did great. At first he wasn't too sure what was going but he was
splashing and kicking in no time. Oh I almost forgot, it's also the
first time wearing sun tan lotion :)

Out for a morning walk with my boys

Homemade peas for the "Monkey" ;)

Homemade peas for the "Monkey" ;)

Peas!

Caden eating peas for the first time

Another hot day

Last night at 7pm the temperature was 93 degrees. At 6am this morning it was a beautiful 64. Lady Catherine emailed me to say ".... it's already 95 degrees in the shade - yikes!". Gonna be a scorcher today! :)

Fourgetaboutit

99 BAM! We didn't have to wait till Friday to reach 99 degrees, we hit it around 4:30 today.

Temperatures and updated NJ Trip pictures

Normally I provide a picture link instead of a text based link, so here is the updated to the NJ Trip pictures.

NJ trip 08

The temperatures hit 96 degrees in the south bay today and expected to reach 99 tomorrow. Wozers! :) "It's a dry heat" ;)

65 degrees

the weatha'

We are going through an early season heat spell. Yesterday was 90 degrees and expected to reach 96 today. Other parts of NoCA are expecting three digit temperatures.

This morning, 5:40, Boone & I are out for our walk and it's 64 degrees. The little breeze there is, is warm. The birds are chirping, the sky is colored blue gray with a golden sunrise coming over the mountains and it is simply beautiful out.

NJ trip pictures

I posted some pictures of our trip to NJ and Penn.

Caden was terrific and believe it or not he had his two bottom teeth coming through at the start of the trip. Everyone loves seeing him and likewise he loved to be with everyone.

Sisters dancing

At Chad and Stephanies wedding.

Caden and Uncle Bernie

Caden enjoying time with Aunt Patty

Blog from the plane

5/7 corrected grammar and spelling

Our first flight as a family, wow, sort of doesn't feel weird to say that. I'll try and write during the flight and post once we land, at some point tonight. Once in Jersey we'll be stopping to say hello to Gabby, Terri and Gary and pick up some baby items that Terry put aside for us. After that visit we make our way up to the Pocono's to see Patty and Bernie.

Caden has been terrific on the 5 hour flight. We only have two seats so he's been in our arms the entire time and although I thought I'd be exhausted from holding him for so long I find that I am not. Most of the time he's been standing, which he just loves to do. Many people on the flight have been smiling and waving at him and he soaks it up.

While pausing between feedings, Caden was making a hand movement in which Lady Catherine immediately grabbed my attention, away from my Star Wars novel, to show me. Sure enough our son was using the signing of "eat" uses in infant sign language. To be sure Lady Catherine offered him food and he ate! At this point in his life Caden doesn't always eat when you offer him food so I feel this is a good indication that he was signing. On our approach to NY Caden gave the "eat" sign again and sure enough he ate, again! Although Lady Catherine says he started making this sign two days ago, she doesn't beleive he is actually signing. I could just be an over excited Dad and that's fine with me :) I also was teaching him the signing for Aunt and Uncle to use on our trip.

Caden in the jumper

These days, this is how we find Caden

when we wake him in the morning :)

Now that it is getting warmer out he does not wear that, ah... oh darn, what is that called... that thingy that looks like a cape got in a fight with a robe. Anyhow, he fully stretches out now.

Elton John Jr. has entered the building!